The Best Treadmills for Hitting Your Mileage at Home
When the weather turns and your motivation fades, owning a home treadmill can help to keep your personal training plan on track. After all, whether you're yet to complete your first 10k, have a few marathons under your belt or are Eliud Kipchoge himself, running outdoors isn’t always a practical — or tempting — option for clocking up miles or blasting through an intervals session.
Best Home Treadmills
Short for time, here's a snapshot of our top-recommended treadmills. For a detailed breakdown of each, keep scrolling.
Now read our round-up of the best rowing machines, tried and tested
‘Treadmills eliminate some of the more common excuses: weather and time,’ says Nike Run Coach Justin Reid-Simms. ‘It’s always the perfect conditions for a run when you’re controlling your indoor environment—and if you’re short on time, the five to 10 minutes you gain from not having to prep to leave the house can be the difference between a workout or no workout.’
Luckily, we've got your back. Our team of experts have spent time putting some of the top treadmills to the test in order to bring you this list of our favourites — from budget options to top-end home treadmills.
How We Test Home Treadmills
Each of the home treadmills featured in this guide have been given the thumbs up by our team of fitness experts.
To make sure each running machine can stand up to tough workouts, we brought the market leaders into our lab for a thorough assessment. Each one was tested by people of varying body shapes, fitness levels and running experience.
All runners racked up the miles in order to judge the running machines’ overall performance, ease of use, design, functionality and comfort, including the cushioning they offered to keep knees in good nick. Here are 10 we've personally tested and recommend.
10 Best Home Treadmills to Buy in 2024
Pro 9000 Folding Treadmill
Mustering the motivation to don your running shoes and brave the changeable British weather is no easy feat. That's where the Pro 9000 comes in. With a huge 22-inch HD touchscreen, built-in Bluetooth speakers and interactive training via iFit, it offers an immersive running experience from the comfort of your living room or home gym.
We enjoyed exploring the scenic running routes available on iFit, and the tips from the energetic instructors helped to push through the toughest of sessions. We also rated the auto-adjust functionality, which allows the machine to adjust your speed, incline and decline during pre-set workouts, leaving you free to focus on your form, pace and breathing.
Other standout features? A sturdy belt, detailed workout stats to help you keep tabs on your progress, and all manner of classes (there’s everything from HIIT to yoga) when you don’t fancy running. Plus, you can create your own running routes anywhere in the world thanks to clever Google maps integration.
The touchscreen could have been more responsive, and you’ll need a fair bit of space to accommodate this hefty machine. But, if it’s a gym-quality experience you’re after then this is your best bet.
£2499.00 at proformfitness.co.uk
Compact Treadmill Run 100
Though it's one of the cheapest treadmills we tested, this Domyos treadmill still finished ahead of pricier models. Now, let’s be realistic, for under £500, you’re never going to get an integrated touchscreen, live workouts and auto-adjust technology. Instead, this reliable runner keeps things refreshingly simple, and it does it well.
It’s lightweight and foldable, making it a smart pick for smaller spaces. The cushioned belt proved comfortable on our knees, and the sturdy steel frame prevented any mid-workout wobbling. The control panel may be a bit minimalistic, but it provides all the stats you need including distance, speed, incline and cals burned; and the large buttons are a doddle to navigate while running. We rated the variety of pre-set workouts for all ability levels and goals; and approved of the added extras, which include a tablet holder, heart rate monitor, built-in speakers and a handy charging port.
The max speed of 14km/h may not be enough for the fast runners among you, but if you want a compact piece of kit for your at-home cardio sessions — and don’t fancy spending over the odds — it does the job nicely.
Slimline Flat Fold Away Treadmill
One of the best things about this folding treadmill is that it comes ready-assembled – just unbox, plug in and get running. Unlike some of the bulkier models we tested, it can also be stored completely flat, so it’s an ideal choice if you don’t want a cardio machine cluttering up your living room.
There’s no touchscreen, but the bright display is easy to read and shows distance, time, speed and calorie burn for each workout. The machine also has a built-in mount to fit your phone or iPad so you can distract yourself with Netflix as you get your sweat on. Or, if you fancy an interactive experience and you have a foot pod, you can connect with running apps like Strava or Zwift.
It reaches speeds up to 16km/h, which is fast enough for most, and it can ramp up or slow down the pace during the pre-set workouts (there are 36 in total) and your own routines. There are no incline or decline options, so it’s not one for advanced runners, but it is a reliable, affordable option for those who want to spice up their home workouts.
It earned bonus points for its sound, or lack of – it was the quietest running machines on test.
Commercial 1750
There’s a lot to shout about with this sleek offering from NordicTrack. Like our winner, the 1750 boasts auto-adjust technology, Google Maps integration and incline/decline functionality for a gym-standard experience.
The screen isn’t as big, but you can still enjoy the extensive range of iFit classes in all their glory, and unlike on the Pro-Form, you can rotate the screen towards your exercise mat for workouts.
With a decent max incline of 15%, it allowed our expert testers to challenge themselves on hilly running routes, while the sturdy handlebars provided stability on particularly tough climbs. They were grateful for the built-in fan, which helped them stay cool and comfy, and said the high-quality belt provided plenty of bounce as well as space for a comfortable stride.
Best of all, the motor is surprisingly quiet, so you don’t need to worry about disturbing your flatmates with an early morning sesh. Just note that it is a bulky bit of a kit, so keep scrolling if you’re short on space.
Tread
This Peloton’s lack of pedals may surprise a few people, but the brand has branched out from its usual spin bikes and delivered a highly impressive treadmill.
While you’d expect a wide range of running workouts from premium treadmills, the Peloton Tread goes a few steps further, providing yoga, strength, interval, HIIT, Pilates and stretching sessions when you subscribe to the Peloton All-Access Membership. These classes are led by instructors who’ve certainly had their Weetabix, and our testing team found their (at times, relentless) enthusiasm helped them grind through tough workouts.
The design is sleek and the sturdy running belt inspired confidence with each stride. We also loved the adjustable speed and incline wheels on the arms of the treadmill, which were far easier to use than the usual fiddly buttons.
Sprint-8 Pro Smart Treadmill
Looking for a gym-quality treadmill experience at home but don’t want to spend over two grand? You can’t go wrong with the new JTX Sprint-8 Pro, which comes in at £1,299.
The sleek machine ticked all the boxes for our experts, who were impressed with the generous running deck and solid steel frame. It didn’t shake once during our rigorous testing, and it was seriously smooth underfoot, even at higher speeds. As such, it’s a worthy choice for larger guys or those with a heavy footfall.
Boasting a max speed of 20kmph (that’s a 4:40min per mile pace) and a respectable 15% incline, it’s suitable for couch-to-5kers and speedsters alike. There are tonnes of pre-set workouts to choose from, or if you prefer interactive coaching, there’s a device holder and built-in speakers for streaming sessions. Alternatively, you could just binge Netflix while you get your sweat on...
The motor was pretty darn quiet (ideal for 6am sessions before work), it was easy to adjust the speed and incline during our runs, and there’s a heart rate monitor for more focused training. The machine also comes with a three-year warranty for peace of mind.
Though it is foldable and has a wheeled base, we found it difficult to move around and store away, but that was our only quibble. Overall, a quality piece of kit that’s suitable for the whole family.
X24 Treadmill
With a daunting 40% max-incline, this treadmill is a perfect companion for runners in search of a serious challenge. Like the 1750, this NordicTrack has a plethora of workout options when connected to the iFit app, covering everything from running challenges (including one intimidatingly named ‘Marathon Madness’) to lower impact hiking sessions — there’s something for everyone.
The virtual routes — set in picturesque locations alongside a chatty trainer — were our personal favourites, with the 24-inch touchscreen providing an immersive experience. Our team also said the variety of workouts, testing inclines and engaging instructors helped their running motivation levels hit an all-time high.
The running belt offered ample cushioning and we didn’t feel cramped at all thanks to its larger dimensions, though this does mean this tread is better-suited to home gyms.
Stride-6 Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill
This Echelon treadmill comes in at a slightly lower price point than the ProForm and NordicTrack, but the brand still delivers a top running machine.
The Echelon Fit app is extensive, hosting running sessions for all manner of fitness levels, goals and time domains. However, the machine doesn’t come with a screen so you have to connect to a tablet via Bluetooth to view these classes. While this worked like clockwork for us, placing it on the designated shelf covered up some of our workout stats on the control panel beneath, which was a bit disappointing.
Still, testers marvelled at the Echelon’s lack of shaking at top speeds, in spite of its smaller size. It also folds flat when a simple lever is pressed, making it a great mid-price option for smaller spaces.
Curved Runner Treadmill 2.0
There’s a reason curved treadmills are seen in almost every elite performance centre in the world and it's because they keep all the cardio benefits of traditional treadmills while being a lot less jarring to the joints because of the way they guide your feet. Doing deadmill sprints, aka running without the power assistance, also burns calories more effectively, meaning less time on the treads.
Powered by your movement alone, Bulldog Gear's Curved Runner Treadmill 2.0 is unique compared to other treadmills in this list in that it has no max or minimum speed – the faster you run, the quicker the belt will move. There's no fancy LED screen, either, but there is a display window that shows metrics like time, heart rate, speed, and distance covered.
MoveLight Walking Treadmill
Under-desk treadmills are all the rage right now and after testing this JTX model, we understand the hype. It’s the best option if you don’t have tonnes of floorspace but want to be more active throughout the day – just slip it under your desk and get moving; it'll do wonders for your step count and maybe even your productivity levels.
The motor is fairly quiet, so it shouldn’t disturb any video calls, the belt is smooth to walk on and the bright display provides all your key stats including distance, speed and step count.
Thanks to its wheeled base and light, 30kg weight, this walking pad is easy to move and small enough to slip under your bed or sofa when not in use. It arrives fully assembled and the remote lets you control the belt’s speed from your standing desk. All in all, it's a worthy addition to your WFH setup.
Why Should You Invest in a Treadmill?
If you’ve previously viewed the treadmill as more of a torture device rather than a valued piece of fitness kit, it’s not entirely your fault. ‘Treadmills have got a bad rep because they’re often the first piece of equipment we use as a gym newbie,’ says Reid-Simms. ‘With so many people scared off, they get overlooked for what they’re good at.’ But your time on the tread needn’t be dull. ‘Tempo runs or interval runs are a perfect choice for the treadmill,’ running coach Reid-Simms says.
‘You can maintain consistency by dialling at the same speed and having an easily viewable timer to ensure your intervals are on time. Hill workouts can also be optimised – you control the gradient and the speed, allowing runners to find the right balance to get what they need out of a training session.’
How Much Should You Pay for a Good Treadmill?
Like any kit, the best treadmills don’t necessarily come cheap. If you’re after high speeds, incline and decline options, a heart rate monitor and Bluetooth connectivity, you can expect your wallet to take a hit initially. But in the long run, you’ll pocket performance benefits and step up your efforts in the squat rack. As Swedish sports scientists found, a combination of strength and cardio training builds more lean body mass than strength training alone.
‘From heavy-duty treadmills to folding models that tuck under the sofa, the space you have available will shape the options available,’ says Reid-Simms, so remember to whip out a tape measure.
‘Measure your access doorways if you live in an apartment building,’ he advises. And don’t forget the neighbours. ‘Some treadmills have a bounce in the deck that can be heard beneath them, so think about whether you're looking for a belt or slatted deck and other noise-limiting features,’ Reid-Simms adds.
The running machines listed below start from under £500 but there are also some high-tech options that are in the thousands.
Are Treadmills Good for Long Runs?
‘Long runs can be a little daunting, but hear me out,’ says Reid-Simms.‘Controlling your environment can help you go longer, while easy access to hydration and refuelling options eliminate the need to carry things with you. Training with Zwift also allows you to gamify the experience – and if you haven’t completed Netflix yet, then setting it up on the treadmill can quickly pass the time on feet.’
To make things even easier for you, some of the bikes in our round-up (like the NordicTrack Commercial X32i) come with touchscreens pre-loaded with streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+, so both movie marathons and actual marathons are always on the cards.
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